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Lesson 4 - Leadership & Tournament Play

Leadership In Netball Performance

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Year 9

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Sport Education

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Big Question

What makes a truly successful team beyond just winning matches?

Learning Objectives

Lead their own warm-up and fitness challenges with confidence and appropriate coaching language
Demonstrate excellent sportsmanship and fair play throughout competitive tournament matches
Accurately self and peer assess performance using structured assessment criteria
Apply and integrate three key fitness components (speed, agility, endurance) relevant to netball performance
Celebrate team achievements whilst reflecting constructively on individual and collective contributions

Key Outcomes

Students will successfully lead warm-up sessions using appropriate coaching terminology and clear instructions
Students will demonstrate consistent fair play behaviours and positive sportsmanship during competitive situations
Students will complete accurate self and peer assessments using the assessment matrix with specific, actionable targets
Students will show improved application of speed, agility and endurance components during game situations
Students will articulate specific team successes and individual contributions through structured reflection

Equipment & Resources Required

Netball

15-20 balls

Store in equipment bag, distribute as teams collect for warm-up

Alternative: Basketballs or size 4 footballs for passing practice

Team bibs

14 sets (7 different colours minimum)

Pre-sorted into team sets, distributed at start of lesson

Alternative: Coloured bands or team pinnards

Throw Down Markers

20-30 markers

Used for fitness stations and court boundaries

Alternative: Cones, spots or chalk marks on court

Posts

4 posts (2 courts)

Check height and stability before lesson begins

Alternative: Basketball hoops or improvised targets

Cones

30-40 cones various sizes

Set up agility courses and define activity areas

Alternative: Markers, spots or improvised boundaries

Score Sheets

30 copies (one per student)

Printed and ready to distribute with clipboards/hard surfaces

Alternative: Digital assessment on tablets/phones

Speed Ladders

4-6 ladders

Lay flat on court surface, secured at ends

Alternative: Chalk ladder patterns or rope ladders

Hurdles

10 low hurdles

Set at appropriate height for agility work (15-30cm)

Alternative: Cones, witches hats or marked lines to step over

Game Balls

6-8 balls

Used for agility and reaction training exercises

Alternative: Tennis balls or small rubber balls

Tennis Balls

10-15 balls

For hand-eye coordination and reaction activities

Alternative: Small soft balls or bean bags

Key Vocabulary

Speed

The ability to move quickly from one point to another or to perform movements rapidly

Agility

The ability to change direction quickly and efficiently while maintaining control and balance

Endurance

The ability to sustain physical activity over extended periods without fatigue significantly affecting performance

Sportsmanship

Fair and generous behaviour especially when competing, including respect for opponents and officials

Assessment Matrix

A structured framework for evaluating performance with specific criteria at different levels

Tournament

A series of competitive matches between multiple teams following a structured format

Leadership

Taking responsibility for guiding, motivating and supporting others to achieve shared goals

Reflection

Thoughtful consideration of experiences, actions and outcomes to identify learning and improvement

Skill Progression Pathway

Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going

Prior Learning

Students can perform basic netball skills including passing, shooting and movement
Students understand fundamental rules and positions in netball
Students have experience of working in teams and basic cooperation skills
Students can participate in fitness activities with appropriate effort
Students have been introduced to the concepts of fair play and sportsmanship

Current Skills

Leadership skills including giving clear instructions and demonstrations
Advanced sportsmanship behaviours under competitive pressure
Self-reflection and peer assessment capabilities using structured criteria
Integration of fitness components into sport-specific performance
Team celebration and constructive performance analysis

Next Steps

Leading coaching sessions for younger students or community groups
Taking on official roles such as referee, coach or team captain
Designing training programmes that integrate multiple fitness components
Mentoring others in developing positive sporting attitudes and behaviours
Applying assessment and reflection skills across different sports and activities

Milestone Indicators

Students give clear, confident instructions that others can follow successfully

Students maintain positive attitudes even when their team is losing or facing challenges

Students provide specific, actionable feedback rather than general comments

Students can explain how different fitness components contribute to netball performance

Students demonstrate genuine appreciation for others' efforts and achievements

Key Teaching Points

Student leadership development requires specific coaching language and clear demonstration expectations
Assessment must be evidence-based with specific examples rather than general impressions or friendship-influenced judgements
Sportsmanship standards become most crucial under competitive pressure and must be consistently reinforced
Fitness components should be explicitly connected to netball performance with clear, observable applications during game play
Team celebration and recognition must extend beyond competitive results to include character development and values demonstration
Self-reflection and target setting require structured guidance to ensure specificity and relevance to future sporting development
Tournament format provides authentic context for applying all learning but requires careful management of emotional intensity

Common Misconceptions

Assessment is about giving scores rather than providing feedback for improvement - correct by emphasising evidence and development focus
Sportsmanship is only about being 'nice' rather than demonstrating character under pressure - address through specific behavioural examples
Fitness training is separate from sport performance rather than directly applicable - correct through explicit game situation connections
Leadership means being loudest or most confident rather than supporting others effectively - demonstrate inclusive leadership behaviours
Success in sport is only measured by winning rather than development and character - celebrate multiple types of achievement
Tournament play is only about competition rather than learning application - maintain focus on educational objectives throughout
Assessment should be based on natural ability rather than effort and improvement - emphasise progress and attitude over innate skill

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Shorter activity bursts with variety, clear movement boundaries and safety zones, regular positive feedback and recognition, kinesthetic learning opportunities through active participation

dyspraxia

Additional practice time for complex movements, simplified fitness activities with larger equipment, step-by-step instruction cards, focus on effort and improvement rather than comparison

autism spectrum

Clear structure and routine for tournament format, quiet zones available for breaks, visual schedule of lesson progression, predictable assessment criteria and processes

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured balls and equipment, provide verbal descriptions of demonstrations, buddy system for assessment support, audio signals for tournament timing

hearing impairment

Visual demonstrations of all coaching points, written instruction cards for fitness stations, hand signals for tournament communication, visual assessment criteria displays

physical disability

Modified netball rules with seated or walking versions, adapted fitness activities focusing on available movement, alternative roles such as scoring or coaching, modified assessment criteria

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Developing vocabulary for assessment and feedback, communication skills for coaching and leadership, articulating reflection and target setting

Maths

Tournament scoring systems, calculating averages and percentages for assessment, measuring distances for fitness stations, timing intervals for training components

Science

Understanding physiological responses to different fitness components, analysing forces and movement in netball skills, exploring energy systems during endurance activities

PSHE

Leadership development and responsibility, teamwork and collaboration skills, resilience and perseverance during challenges, celebrating diversity and individual contributions

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move continuously between courts during tournament to observe sportsmanship and performance. Position at corner of courts for maximum visibility during simultaneous matches.

Observation Focus

Monitor application of fitness components during game play, consistency of sportsmanship under pressure, quality of peer assessment and leadership during student-coached activities.

Intervention Points

Step in immediately if sportsmanship standards drop during competitive pressure. Provide support for assessment activities if students struggle with criteria or evidence. Guide fitness activities if safety concerns arise.

Demonstration Notes

Model excellent sportsmanship responses during competitive moments. Demonstrate specific examples of assessment criteria during tournament play. Show enthusiasm for character development alongside sporting achievement.

Verbal Cues

•'Remember your fitness focus - use that speed training now!'
•'Excellent sportsmanship - that's what real athletes look like!'
•'Be specific with your assessment - what exactly did you see?'
•'Support your teammates when it gets tough - that's character!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Two full netball courts (minimum 30m x 15m each) with safety run-off areas. Additional space for fitness stations around court perimeters.

Surface Check

Indoor court surface clean, dry and free from hazards. Outdoor courts checked for water, debris or surface damage that could cause slips or falls.

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check netball posts are secure and at correct height with no sharp edges or loose fittings
•Verify all netballs are correctly inflated and in good condition without splits or damage
•Ensure speed ladders are flat and secure to prevent tripping hazards
•Check hurdles are appropriate height and stable during agility work
•Confirm cones and markers are in good condition without sharp edges or cracks

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions between players during competitive tournament matches
•Overexertion during intensive fitness training and sustained tournament play
•Slips and falls during dynamic movements and direction changes
•Contact injuries from netball impact or awkward landing positions
•Emotional pressure and inappropriate competitive behaviour during assessment

Risk Mitigation

•Clear court boundaries and adequate spacing between simultaneous matches
•Progressive warm-up and controlled intensity progression during fitness work
•Mandatory water breaks and monitoring for signs of fatigue or overexertion
•Emphasis on controlled movements and proper technique throughout all activities
•Strong focus on sportsmanship and respect to prevent emotional escalation

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for maximum visibility of both courts during simultaneous tournament matches
•Monitor fitness stations closely during high-intensity training for technique and safety
•Watch for signs of fatigue, dehydration or emotional distress during competitive play
•Ensure appropriate peer assessment behaviour without negative criticism or conflict

Emergency Procedures

Immediate stop signal recognised by all students. Clear access routes to first aid equipment and communication systems. Designated staff member knows location of emergency contacts and medical information.